Wichita eagle., 1887-12-23
A POLITE BURGLAR.

In the year 1921 monsieur the regent
and the bandit Cartouche reigned in Paris,
the former on the throne of his uncle,
Louis XIV, the latter on the roofs of the
capital, of which he had a map carefully
drawn. Ny lord the duke OF Orleans. re-.
gent of France, had invented the fine sup
pers of the Palais Royal and the masked
balls of the opera: Cartouche. a man q
refined habits, cold blooded and exceed
fngly courageous, had, as my lord the
duke of Orleans, his court, his bedroom
and even his private surgeon. All Paris
res0Unded with the puns and deeds of the
arliable brigand, who recommended polite
ness and good behavior 10 ais cutthroats
ard pickpockets, wore out the gendGrmea
OF monsieur the lieutenant of police, and
even often thrashed thom well and good.
During the night Of Holy Thursday
madame the duchess de Bouffiers, widow
for the last ten years of monsieur the
marshal de Bouffiers, and g handsome
lady of 81 years Of age, awakened from a
peaceable slumber. BY the faint light OF
night lamp she saw the curtains OF the
balcony window opening, and man short
of stature, b,lt we'll made, with an agree
able face, entered her bedroom. He had
Alencon lace cuffs, red heels 10 his shoes,
and the perfect demeanor of a young lord.
The duchess YVES very frightened, and she
was on the eve of calling her servants,
when the stranger said TO her:
Silence, madame! Do not call, if you
please"
And drawing two pistols from his belt,
he continued:
Il am CaItouche and the street is
swarming with the gendarmeS Of
monsieur the lieutenant of police I
enter your house, madame, as either a
thief or a lover; but I shall behave myself
like q gentleman. You see me all broken
up with fatigue and mad with hunger
Therefore, madame TIC Duchess dc
BoufTiers, l have the honor of asking a
supper and bed from your well knowD
kindness
Saying so, and with a hand richly
gloved, Cartoucie removed his hat and
then bowed respectfully before the
duchess, who raised herself on her elbow
in order to have good view OF the strange
visitor.
do not fear, madame, will not hurt
you! VIII you be charitable enough to
ring the bell to summon your maid TO
your bedside? You will tell her that you
are hungry and to bring you a cold
chicken and bottle Of champagne
''What are you saying, Monsieur Car
touche? During the Holy Week no
chicken is to be found in my house"
Try, Madame the Dl-,-.,ess.
Mmc. de Bouffiers obeyed, while Car
touche hid himself behind the curtains of
the window. The bold thief knew his no.
blhty on the top of his finger and the
int IF hse n, ,rt obi Il
champagne were served on silver tray,
together with g box containing a silver
fork, q spoon and q knife, exactly as in
the kings palace. He was very talkatiye
before and after eating and drinking. NJ
Cartouche amused Madame the Duchess
de BoCItflers q great deal
She examined him steaithilv. What!
this man who was seated there in her
own bedroom was this famous CartOuche,
who, in the city as woll as in the Palais
Royal, residence Of my lord the Duke of
Orleans, regent of France, ali people and
courtiers dotted on, Size thought him n
rcpulsive looking individual, and she
found him very good looking young
man. and he was SO very adventurous,
bold and courageous, and he proved to be
SO, witty and sardouical as demon.
Now, the hunger 6f the bandit satisfied
what would happen? The question of ia
0iCue remained open. NJ. CartoUche had
said, a supper and a bed. Madame
the Duchess de Bouff,ers felt an anguish
very comprehensive.
''Reassure yourself. madame said
Cartouche, with smile (he had guessed
the thought Of his hostess. There is a
lounge on which | viii wait for the dawn
of the day. You have nothing to fear
from my friends tonight, madame. You
may repose in peace; good night. and q
good slesp TO you. my charming benefac-
IresS
And saluting the duchess with the most
exquisite politeness, CartoucEe stretched
himself on the lounge and fell asleep with
out fear and without reproach. like Knight
BayaTd in person.
The dawn Of the day whitened the
horizon.
Did you have a good sleep, madames
Allow me to retire and TO thank you from
the bottom of my heart. II | have vio-
lated so outrageously all the laws OF absti-
hence but one, On a Holy Thursday, l shall
atone for TINS mortal sin by going to
vespers next Easter Sunday al the church
of Notre Dame. Perhaps we will have,
you, madame, the luck, and / the honor of
meeting each other. -
4 smile parted his cherry Ike lips, he
replaced his pistols in his bclJ, bowed be-
fore Che duchess and disappeared through
the balcony window without carrying with
him anything from Madame the Duchess
de BouiIler' s room.
= On Easter Sunday the Cathedral Of
Notre Dame WAS flied with people. The
great aisle was obsl> ucjed with gigantic
sca1foldingS, as they were repairing the
vaults. Between mass and vespers Car
touche divided his men in three bands
One was concealed between the chevrons
like flight of sparrows in the branches
OF a tree. Another mixed itself with TIE
crowd entering the church; finally the
last Qne was scattered at tbs exits.
The veSpeTs began
At the first verse of the second Psalm
those of the bandits hidden on the scat
folding threw bricks. tools. mortar and
ladders on the people below. Those in
the cathedral cried that the vaults were
going down; they made the auditorium
crazy with fear. while those in the exits
gathered watches, snuff boxes, purses.
rings. bracelets. etc
Madame the Duchess de Bouffers had
come 10 yespers. the words of Cartonc!e
had dec!deS her; SIZE was exceedingly
curious 10 See her nocturnal visitor il
broad daylight.
At the beginning OF the fraoas q gentle
man rushed toward her. He put his arm
around her waist, pushed the crowd aside
with herculcan strength and brought the
duchess unharmel TO the portico.
Il was certain 10 meet you, Madame
the Duchess. and for your good fortune.
You have saved my bones from the wheel.
81 my tl,r--n Z cat-a rnl,l i,-ANaLS & c-.1.-l